Side Marker/Blinker Questions

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Joined
Oct 27, 2003
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Location
uhhhh...duh...Northern CA
after getting into an argument with an asshat who claimed to be an off-duty cop about whether or not I used my signal when changing lanes in front of a busy toll booth (I did, but he couldn't see them from where he was)...I'm now thinking more seriously about the need to have turn signal lights that are visible on the front half of the rig...from the side. whew! how was that for a run-on sentance

I like Chad's idea of swapping the bulb assemblies -- real easy, quick and dirty my kind of quick mod.

The question I have is whether or not the front marker light -- what is currently the turn-signal/blinker can stand up to the heat of the running light being on for long periods of time. With the lights on at night, this light housing will be subjected to heat from the bulb...can it withstand long term bulb heat?

It's obvious to me that the corner lenses would be fine since they're designed for that use.

Thoughts? Comments?

Or...should I do the extra bulb in the corner lense mod?

Or...should I drill a hole into the front quarter panel and add a new marker/blinker? If I go this route...sources for side marker light? CDan? Mot?
(to be honest, this would be my preferred mod)

I thought about doing T Y L E R's mirror light...but I'm not quite that :rainbow: :flipoff2:
 
NorCalDoug said:
I thought about doing T Y L E R's mirror light...but I'm not quite that :rainbow: :flipoff2:

Gah ahhhhhhhhhhshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! *kicking dirt with my shoe*

Mom says you need to go home! You're eating all the food, and failing to signal .. :flipoff2:




TY
 
Doug,

You can't copy TYLER or you'll end up looking for clear tails and fronts. :flipoff2:

Ask your local stealer or Cdan if they can get you two of these:

81730-60111

If they can't, then I would be happy to swap them for your pink panties (prefer not used, or try to get them from my source here.

You can thank me later. :flipoff2: :flipoff2:
You might not want to hack up your quarter panel though since you are a :princess: . ;p

Mot :grinpimp:
 
Doug,

Just to clarify, the part number I had posted was for the whole side marker assembly, with the lense, body, socket, harness and everything you'll need for the job.

81730-60111 LAMP ASSY, SIDE TURN QTY: 1

Be sure to order to of them "IF" you go that route.

Long live the pink panties! :popcorn:

Mot :flipoff2:
 
Thanks LX for the link...

As far as simplicity the mirror mod is up there with just changing the corner socket. There is no drilling body panels, so in the future it is easily changeable. I also thought about placing mine on the outer edge of the mirror, but with this placement I think you would have mirror range of motion problems.

If you would like more/better pictures of mine functioning I can take them.

If you go out and turn your signal on....get out and walk around the side of your rig, it is AMAZING at the lack of visiblity of the turn signals. From just before your even with the rear blinker along the whole side and not until your are past the front bumper.

I just had a guy in a LX470 tell me, "I didn't know those came with mirror signals.." If you don't know...mine appear really stock.
 
:D
I was kidding about T Y L E R's (or TX_TLC's for that matter) mod being :rainbow:

The concern I have with the mirror mod is that the light would be above the line of sight for those right next to me, so I was thinking it might be better to have something on the quarterpanel so it would be a bit lower. For those in cars who a more than a few feet away, the exact location of the lights isn't much of a concern -- they'd be able to see it without probs.

Thanks for the pic of the mirror cover light LX_TREME -- that would be good too, but I know I'd smack it on a tree branch or rock outcropping at some point... I guess I could wire it so it would be easier to remove...but I don't know if it's something that can be easily be popped off and clipped back on. The wide-angle mirror blinker is kewl, but quite spendy.

Mot -- thanks for the part numbers :) I'll check with CDan about availability.

I think I'll do T Y L E R's mod on the wife's 80. The :princess: might be impressed :D

Not that it matters because I'm sure my local demon-seed filled Wal-Mart won't have it, but TX_TLC -- in what area were those lights stocked? Auto-bling? Trailer stuff?
 
NorCalDoug said:
I like Chad's idea of swapping the bulb assemblies -- real easy, quick and dirty my kind of quick mod.

Here is my concern with switching the bulbs of the corner light and the front blinker. As it stand now from the side of the truck you can see front corner light, the rear maker light and the rear turn signal but not the front turn signal. If you switch the front turn signal and front corner light, from the side you will see all the lights on the rear of the truck the same but now you will be able to see the new front turn signal but not the front marker light.

So here is my concern, once a vehicle comes up beside you at night they will not be able to determine the front of the truck until they are past the front bumper which may cause them to cut me off. To me this is more important to because the turn signal is only on a fraction of the time compare to total operating time of the vehicle and if I’m changing lanes it is my responsibility not to cut off vehicle that is beside me. Am I missing something here with this mod?
 
I would think that it's the responsibility of the driver to not cut someone off when changing lanes.

Regardless of the front marker lights, they should (I would think) wait until they see your headlights before migrating back into your lane.

I don't know the rules for other states, but in CA, it's illegal to drive with only your running lights -- people do it all the time however.
 
NorCalDoug said:
:D
I was kidding about T Y L E R's (or TX_TLC's for that matter) mod being :rainbow:

The concern I have with the mirror mod is that the light would be above the line of sight for those right next to me, so I was thinking it might be better to have something on the quarterpanel so it would be a bit lower. For those in cars who a more than a few feet away, the exact location of the lights isn't much of a concern -- they'd be able to see it without probs.

Thanks for the pic of the mirror cover light LX_TREME -- that would be good too, but I know I'd smack it on a tree branch or rock outcropping at some point... I guess I could wire it so it would be easier to remove...but I don't know if it's something that can be easily be popped off and clipped back on. The wide-angle mirror blinker is kewl, but quite spendy.

Mot -- thanks for the part numbers :) I'll check with CDan about availability.

I think I'll do T Y L E R's mod on the wife's 80. The :princess: might be impressed :D

Not that it matters because I'm sure my local demon-seed filled Wal-Mart won't have it, but TX_TLC -- in what area were those lights stocked? Auto-bling? Trailer stuff?

You can find the :rainbow: :flipoff2: lights I used in the Auto - Trailer section of your Hell-Mart. Being in Texas I tried two different Tractor supply type places for a better option of small amber marker lights and ended up back at @ Hell Mart.

Total cost: L.E.D. Marker lights (amber) 2 x $6.96, 16 gauge wire (blue and yellow) had in my garage, not more that $5.00 worth, split loom for nice clean install again was laying around from old stereo install, and 4 wire connectors, and 4 wire splicers.
 
Last edited:
Heffenoche said:
Here is my concern with switching the bulbs of the corner light and the front blinker. As it stand now from the side of the truck you can see front corner light, the rear maker light and the rear turn signal but not the front turn signal. If you switch the front turn signal and front corner light, from the side you will see all the lights on the rear of the truck the same but now you will be able to see the new front turn signal but not the front marker light.

So here is my concern, once a vehicle comes up beside you at night they will not be able to determine the front of the truck until they are past the front bumper which may cause them to cut me off. To me this is more important to because the turn signal is only on a fraction of the time compare to total operating time of the vehicle and if I’m changing lanes it is my responsibility not to cut off vehicle that is beside me. Am I missing something here with this mod?


My personal take on the mod and reason I did this wasn't to help me not cut people off. My personal experience was so: while traveling on a 3 lane high-way I was in the far right lane, and there was a truck in the far left lane. The center lane was unoccupied and I signaled to merge into the center lane. The pickup in the far left lane couldn't see my signal and (without signaling) began the same lane change manuver. He wasn't even paying attention that I was almost completely in the lane.

Another reason this mod is helpful, as a trained EMT I stop to provide assistance as a first responder at any accident that I see. This mod makes your emergency flashers MUCH more noticeable in every direction of your truck.

I wouldn't just swap the lights but nothing against those who have. Very quick and easy for sure. If you don't want another light on the side of your truck I would suggest C-Dans "replace the socket in the corner light, with a dual fliament buld/socket" setup. :cheers:
 
If you can source the JDM side turn lights, I think they accomplish the job well and look nice. As long as you are not afraid of cutting you sheet metal, it's a 1 :banana: job.

I made a template out of thin carboard (beer case thickness) using one of the lights as a guide, measured, drill, cut.

Here is a pic of mine, along with a pic from Jim Phillips with the measurements for the cut out.
 
mot said:
Just to clarify, the part number I had posted was for the whole side marker assembly, with the lense, body, socket, harness and everything you'll need for the job.81730-60111 LAMP ASSY, SIDE TURN QTY: 1
Mot

So where do they plug in on each side and how do you get there? After doing a snorkle install, that inner fender is no-man's land if you forearm is of any size.
 
elmariachi said:
So where do they plug in on each side and how do you get there? After doing a snorkle install, that inner fender is no-man's land if you forearm is of any size.


Jim,

I think Byron's post shows where the lenses need to be on the right side and you can just do the mirror-image job on the left.

Also LX's pic in the post #6 shows (can't tell too clearly) how the lense "clips" onto the hole you cut out.

I know many would not want to cut the sheet metal of their rigs, but I would be willing to do it if it were me. But I am also planning on doing the mirror cover turn indicator thingy, too.

HTH

Mot ;)
 
elmariachi said:
So where do they plug in on each side and how do you get there? After doing a snorkle install, that inner fender is no-man's land if you forearm is of any size.
I'm not sure if it's the "official" location...but I was thinking of splicing with the existing wire for the turn signal light in the front.

As for forearm room...that's a concern of mine too -- I definitely do not have small forearms. :frown:
 
elmariachi said:
So where do they plug in on each side and how do you get there? After doing a snorkle install, that inner fender is no-man's land if you forearm is of any size.


No plug in for the US trucks, just run some wire and splice into the existing turn signal wires.
 
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